Jess Whitehead

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she/her
Integrative Counsellor and registered member of BACP

About me

Perhaps you're dealing with difficult relationships or a period of change, are still troubled by past experiences, or feel unsure of your place in the world. I work with adults experiencing a range of difficulties, including relationship problems, anxiety, depression, past trauma, or a general sense of being stuck.

Whatever is troubling you, I will meet you with warmth, compassion and openness to your whole experience. I'm not here to 'fix' you or tell you what to do, but will explore what you choose to bring, as we work together to understand how your experiences have shaped you, and take steps towards the life you want to live. I am empathic and responsive in my approach.

How I work

Truly being understood and validated in therapy can be life changing. Therapy can help you to make sense of your history, understand how you have become the unique person you are, and choose how you manage life’s challenges.

Perhaps you've found yourself changing your natural way of being to please others or to keep yourself safe. We would explore together how your early life experiences and relationships shaped you and still impact you. We might notice what's happening in your body, since bodily sensations and movements can bring to light your subconscious feelings and experiences for us to explore and make sense of. What happens between us in therapy, and how we respond to each other, can be a useful guide to how you experience to world and its challenges.

Through understanding patterns of behaviour and relationships which may no longer be working so well for you, we can gently explore new ways of being. Together we can support you to thrive rather than just survive, making choices which feel aligned to your identity and motivations.

Your sessions

We'd meet for 50 minutes a week, face to face in a comfortable counselling room at Ownzone in Stroud, or online. 

Once you contact me leaving your email and mobile number, I will always get back to you, so do check your spam/junk folder.

I offer an initial free 15 minute phone or Zoom call, to talk briefly about what you'd like from therapy and see if you feel comfortable with me. If so, we'd find a time for an initial session, which is a chance to understand more about your history and current circumstances, what you're hoping to change and ways that I might support you to do so.

Training, qualifications & experience

I support clients facing a range of difficulties, but particularly relationship problems and family issues, depression, anxiety, life transitions and past or present traumatic experiences. 

I'm a BACP-registered Integrative Counsellor, drawing on a range of psychotherapeutic styles (trauma-informed, humanistic, psychodynamic, and embodiment) to meet your particular needs. I'm committed to being anti-racist, welcoming diversity in all forms and respecting your unique identity.

Qualifications

I hold the following qualifications:

- Certificate in Body Psychotherapy: Developing Embodied Relational Resonance (2025, the Minster Centre)

- BACP-accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling from the Minster Centre, a leading integrative therapy training institute (2020). 

- Foundation in Integrative Counselling - Minster Centre (2017).

- BA (Hons) Sociology (2003).

- Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course - BPP Law School (2006)

My experience

Alongside my private practice, I'm a self-employed counsellor at The Listening Post in Stroud. I previously worked as a counsellor at Help Counselling and the Minster Centre’s Psychotherapy and Counselling Service in London, supporting clients with low cost counselling.

I worked as a solicitor for over a decade, advocating for vulnerable people and those with mental health difficulties, with many years working in the charity sector and NHS before that. I personally understand the stress and fulfilment of high pressured work environments.

As a registered member of BACP, I adhere to its Ethical Framework and Professional Occupational Standards, including continuing my professional development and undertaking regular supervision and training.

Recent training courses include working with neurodivergence, nervous system regulation, trauma, shame, disability, race and power, and personality disorders.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£60.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • OAPs
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed

Additional information

A significant number of my clients benefit from concessionary rates. If you'd like to start therapy and are facing financial difficulties, please let me know, so we can discuss your options.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

I currently have availability in the daytime, but my evening sessions are fully booked.

Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5

London, Greater London, SW19

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Zoom
Whatsapp
Jess Whitehead
Jess Whitehead